Rakshasa, Raktavarna

[This content was created for the Pathfinder rules by Paizo Publishing LLC and is part of the Pathfinder RPG product line.]

What at first appears to be a bejeweled blade shimmers and writhes, transforming into a hideous, red-eyed serpent.

Source: Pathfinder d20pfsrd.com

Made up of smoke, blood, and gold, raktavarnas are the least of the rakshasas; they are born not from humanoids, but from the souls of rakshasas who failed utterly in their previous incarnation and who are thus reborn from a serpent’s egg. These terrors drift through society, passing from hand to hand as weapons or strange tokens from foreign lands, curiosities brought home by traders and emissaries and given to leaders as tribute. In this manner the raktavarnas gain entry into corridors of power throughout the world, and what they see, their foul masters know. A raktavarna’s servitude to a master ends only when its master decrees, or (more commonly) upon the master’s death. Little disconcerts raktavarnas more than having no master, and when they are cast adrift in this manner, they seek a replacement as soon as they can. A 7th level lawful evil spellcaster with the Improved Familiar feat can gain a raktavarna rakshasa as a familiar.

Raktavarna CR 2

XP 600 LE Tiny outsider (native, rakshasa, shapechanger) Init +3; Senses Darkvision 60 ft., detect magic; Perception +9

DEFENSE

AC 17, touch 15, flat-footed 14 (+3 Dexterity, +2 natural, +2 size) hp 22 (3d10+6) Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +4 DR 5/good or piercing; SR 17

OFFENSE

Speed 20 ft., Climb 20 ft., Swim 20 ft. Melee bite +8 (1d4-2 plus poison) Special Attacks detect thoughts (DC 13) Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th; Concentration +8)   Constant—comprehend languages   1/day—charm person (DC 13), suggestion (DC 15) 1/week—commune (CL 12th, 6 questions)

STATISTICS

Strength 7, Dexterity 16, Constitution 15, Intelligence 12, Wisdom 13, Charisma 14 Base Atk +3; CMB +4; CMD 12 (can’t be tripped) Feats Alertness, Weapon Finesse Skills Bluff +12, Climb +9, Disguise +16, Escape Artist +6, Perception +9, Sense Motive +9, Stealth +17, Swim +6; Racial Modifiers +4 Bluff, +8 Disguise Languages Common, Infernal, Undercommon; comprehend languages SQ change shape (Tiny living object), master’s eyes

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Change Shape (Su)   As a full-round action, a raktavarna can take the shape of a handheld object, most often an ornamental light, a one-handed weapon, or a piece of treasure. If the rakshasa remains stationary in such a form, it can attempt Stealth checks even while being observed. It can remain motionless in object form indefinitely, but reverts to its true form as soon as it takes any action.   Master’s Eyes (Su)   A raktavarna can designate a single creature as its master as a standard action. If the raktavarna is a spellcaster’s familiar, its master is automatically that spellcaster, and the raktavarna cannot change this. As a full-round action, a raktavarna’s master can observe the world as if looking through the raktavarna’s eyes. The master must concentrate to maintain this link each round. The master’s visual senses are suppressed for this time, and he uses the raktavarna’s Darkvision, detect magic, and regular eyesight to observe the world. This ability has no limit on range, and functions even across planar boundaries. If the raktavarna is slain while its master is using this ability, the master is stunned for 1d4 rounds (no save). Poison (Su)   Bite-injury; save Fort DC 13; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d2 Wisdom plus modify memory; cure 1 save. Each time a victim takes Wisdom damage from this poison, a modify memory effect causes the victim to forget the previous minute’s interactions with the raktavarna, as long as the raktavarna is no longer visible or is in object form. The save DC is Constitution-based.

ECOLOGY

Environment any Organization solitary, pair, or rack (3-10) Treasure standard

Section 15: Copyright Notice – Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary 3

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary 3, © 2011, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Authors Jesse Benner, Jason Bulmahn, Adam Daigle, James Jacobs, Michael Kenway, Rob McCreary, Patrick Renie, Chris Sims, F. Wesley Schneider, James L. Sutter, and Russ Taylor, based on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, and Skip Williams.